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Make your own iPad tripod

By Kootoyoo |

Dubbed the "tripad", this DIY iPad tripod is unique and costs next to nothing. Sure it’s a bit rough around the edges but it absolutely does the job. Give it a go! There are several steps to this project, so make sure you look at the number images below the steps for easy reference.

What you'll need:

tripod

old placemat

bolt and nut to fit (hopefully with the tripod)

PVC table covering (available from spotlight)

drill and drill bits

scissors

glue

pencil

adhesive felt tape

peg (optional)

Step 1.

Gather your supplies.

Step 2.

Begin by placing the iPad face down on the placemat and tracing around it. Mark where the hole for the camera needs to go.

Step 3.

Drill one hole through the middle of the placemat and one for the camera (as marked.)

Step 4.

Check the bolts through the central hole.

Step 5.

Attach the placemat to the tripod to ensure everything fits snuggly and securely.

Step 6.

Position your iPad so that the camera is placed over the hole you have drilled for it.

Step 7.

You may need to enlarge your holes a bit. If you do not have a large enough drill bit, you can use scissors. Rotate them around inside the hole …

Step 8.

… until it looks big enough to accommodate the camera without intruding on the picture space.

Step 9.

Trace along the edge at the “bottom” of the iPad. The camera should be a the top left at this point.

Step 10.

Cut pieces of felt tape. This is to protect the back of the iPad from the central nut and to ensure that the iPad is level.

Step 11.

Position your felt tape as pictured below.

Step 12.

At this point, you can use your peg to fashion a little ledge for the iPad to rest against when it is in an upright position. You could also use a small off cut of timber.

Step 13.

Cut a piece of the PVC so that it wraps around the placemat 1 1/2 times. Trim to fit.

Step 14.

Apply glue to patterned side of placemat and smooth the PVC onto the glued surface.

Step 15.

Pierce the PVC around the centre hole with your scissors.

Step 16.

Tape along the top of the placemat to hold the PVC in place.

Step 17.

Attach the board to the tripod and position the iPad onto the board. This is best done with the tripod plate flat.
Ensure the PVC is smoothed firmly over the face of the iPad. You will notice that the PVC will grab the iPad in much the same way as the screen projectors do. You can still operate the iPad through the PVC.

Step 18.

Continue to wrap the PVC around the back of the board and trim to ensure a snug fit. That way the PVC will also grab to itself and on the back of the board. This will help keep the iPad in position and safe.